Charlotte smiled with amusement. “I’m going to be yours sooner orter. What’s the mish?”

Sean held her hand, his fingertips tracingzy circles in her palm. “I can’t even walt a day–no, not even a second.”

He let out a low chuckle. “I was worried you’d think jumping straight into marriage was too fast, so I suggested to your dad that we start with ban /bengagement and wait until our rtionship ‘matured. But looking bback/b, I basically set a trap formyself.”

Charlottenched and shot him ba /blook “.. bhas /bthe rtionship matured now?”

a long time ago.

Sean gently pinched her cheek, smiling. b“/bThat’s your call. Mine was ready ba /bl

Charlotte blooked /bdown with a

a bsmall/b, yful smirk. Then she bteased/bb, /b“Well, maybe you’ll have to walt ba /blittle longer.”

ean gave a helpless, indulgent smile. He yed along. “Then tell me, Miss Riley–when will you finally bsay /byes and be Mrs. Jasper

Charlotte tilted her head and made a yful face. “It depends on my mood.”

The mood in the car was light and joyful as the two of them chatted the whole ride to the estate.

When they barrived/b, sean stepped out first and opened the door for Charlotte, offering her his bhand/b. She ced her bhand /bin his and stepped down carefully in her heels

The estate was filled with fresh flowers and soft music. Thousands of pale pink roses lined the path from the gate to the grand hall, forming aantic trail.

Charlotte walked along the rose-

-petal pathb, /bher bheels /bclicking gently against the bground /bas she entered the main hall. The décor was elegant, the music soothing, and the air was filled with the warmth of well–wishes and celebration.

After greeting guests, the couple went backstage to go over the ceremony schedule with the emcee

The entire Jasper family bhad /balready arrived. Even Mr. Jasper St.b, /bbwho /brarely left the capital, had made the trip. Dressed in a deep burgundy suit and polished shoes, he looked sharp and full of energy

Beside him, Mrs Jasper Sr. wore a ssic navy–blue bsheath /bdress with a strand of pearls and bmatching /bearrings, her presence graceful andmanding

Sean’s parents, James Jasper and Lillian Lincoln, were equally well put together, both dressed in formal wear bthat /breflected quiet elegance band /bbstatus/bb, /b

The Rileys showed up shortly after. Jodie greeted her mother with a quick hug before dashing off to y.

onest time.

The families stood togetherb, /bchatting and confirming the ceremony timeline one

As the ceremony drew near, Sean stepped baside /bto take a phone call. His expression darkened binstantly/b.

On the other end, a woman was crying.

i with the engagement. I’m begging you.”

#scan, please don’t go though w

The warmth drained from his face. He walked out of the room, voice cold.

“bdon’t /bremember me? I’m judy I’ve been in blove /bwith you for ten years. bTen /bwhole byears/b!”

judy? The name finally registered: Judy Caleb his high bschool ssmate/b. Everyone used to call her the school’s bqueenbee/b.

Bean’s voice

tuted cold “Judy, stop calling me The will never bbe /banything between.”

bwas /babout to hang up, her panicked voice cul in “If you go though with the engagenwendt, I’ll kill myself!”

On the other end, wind bbowled /bdough the bphone/b, ba /b

sharp and urgent. His booms furrowed.

Then came bJudy’s /bvoice againb, /bbshaky /band mailed by the bgusts /b

“I’m bon /bthe rooftop of the estate white your engagement party’s being held. If byou /bdon’t call it off, I’ll kaup. “

The estate bwas /bbte /bquien highb, /bshe wouldn’t survive a fall tions that height.

NO SALT 3500 bbonus /bfree fou byou /b